God could have...
God could have arrived as a zealot, ready to take on the Romans who held the country under the heel of their boot.
God could have arrived as a rabbi with many years of training, ready to confront the religious leaders.
God could have arrived as a leader, ready to summon the people to follow him.
But God didn’t.
God chose instead the danger of pregnancy and childbirth, in a time when many babies and mothers died.
God chose to be held in the arms of first time parents and their extended family. God relied completely on them all to feed him, clothe him and keep him warm. God chose a poor family from a poor village, where resources were scarce.
With the limited time that Jesus walked on earth, he could have spent much more of it as an adult. Think of how many more miracles he could have done if he’d lived longer. Think of how much more he could have said and done. But God chose to enter this world as a baby. God didn’t skip the baby phase or the childhood phase. God went through puberty!
Of all the choices that God could make, God chose to enter life the way we all do, as a baby. As Christmas approaches, let’s dwell on this. Let’s ponder how this shapes our understanding of who God is and how God works in this world. And let’s dwell on what this tells us about the children in our midst.
‘Children Matter’, by Scottie May et al. makes this point which I think is beautiful.
“Jesus came as a baby and lived out a complete childhood. He experienced helplessness, loving care, obedience to parents, and the process of growing in divine and human favour (Luke 2:52). The incarnation powerfully affirms the significance of childhood.” pg. 37-38.
Something to ponder:
Think about God as a vulnerable baby. God as a stumbling toddler learning to walk. God toilet trained. God at play.
As we prepare for Christmas, what difference does this view of God have on us?